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About 250 of Tennessee’s thousands of lakes are classified as large bodies of water. The largest lakes, created by the TVA to control flooding throughout the region, support healthy fisheries. Hence, Tennessee lake vacations center on water sports. Local villages provide diversions like museums and festivals for the rare times when the fish aren’t biting.

Norris Lake

Norris Lake, the largest of the lakes created by the Tennessee Valley Authority, has 34,000 surface acres and 800 miles of shoreline. Known for championship trout fishing, the lake also supports bass, walleye and crappie. More than 20 marinas around the lake offer boat rentals and fishing gear. The Lenoir Museum at the Norris Dam State Park displays artifacts representing Tennessee’s early European settlers and Native American objects. An 18th century gristmill is part of the Lenoir Museum Complex. Flat Hollow Marina Resort, located in Speedwell, rents vacation homes, an 80’ houseboat and floating houses. Floating houses are, as the name suggests, full-sized homes built on barge-like platforms.

Center Hill Lake

Center Hill Lake is a 64-mile long mostly undeveloped reservoir with more than 18,000 acres of surface water. Three scenic waterfalls tumble into the lake. Fishing, boating and hunting are popular activities, and Edgar Evins State Park provides a marina and boat launch for boaters. Nearby Smithville hosts the annual Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival in July. Tens of thousands of visitors come to Smithville to help celebrate Appalachian music and arts. Lakeside Resort offers lodge rooms, secluded cabins and suites with full kitchens and lake views. A local marina delivers jet skis to the resort for guest’s use and Lakeside Resort makes golf cars available for those who prefer to ride around the 139-acre property

Dale Hallow Lake

Dale Hallow Lake is a significant bass fishery, and smallmouth in the 14 to 18 inch range are common. Trophy sized trout and muskie are also abundant. Part of the lake is in Kentucky, and the two states honor each other’s fishing licenses in most areas. The lake’s 620-mile shoreline remains undeveloped except for marinas and day-use areas. Mitchell Creek Marina offers dinner and a cruise during from May through October and outfitters lead canoe expeditions around the lake and the Obey River. Cedar Hill Resort in Celina rents cabins and houseboats. Houseboats range in size from a67’ long boat that sleeps 10 to the Super 80, with six bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Cherokee Lake

Daniel Boone followed the Cherokee warpath that crossed the valley that now holds Cherokee Lake. Black bass, walleye, crappie and sauger are abundant in the lake and 20 to 30 pound rockfish are common. Marinas around its shoreline provide boat rentals, fishing equipment and guide service. Panther Creek State Park has seven miles of horseback riding trails, a large swimming pool with a high dive and a small campground with hookups. Hearthstone Bed and Breakfast, located in Jefferson City, is made up of an inn with two guest rooms, a private cabin and another cabin with two suites directly on the lake. Paddleboats and pontoon boats are available for rent.

About the Author

Meg Jernigan has been writing for more than 30 years. She specializes in travel, cooking and interior decorating. Her offline credits include copy editing full-length books and creating marketing copy for nonprofit organizations. Jernigan attended George Washington University, majoring in speech and drama.